A new study, conducted by the scientists from the University of Minnesota, USA, shows that more than 80% of the world’s tap water is contaminated with plastic. The US, followed by India and Lebanon, has the highest contamination level with 93%. France, Germany and the UK have 72%, and this is the lowest number.

For the study, a team of scientists tested 159 samples of water from across the world, including such countries as Uganda, Ecuador, and Indonesia.

Dr Anne Marie Mahon from the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, a lead author of the previous study confirming microplastic contamination in tap water in Ireland, says: “We don’t know what the [health] impact is and for that reason we should follow the precautionary principle and put enough effort into it now, immediately, so we can find out what the real risks are.”